Production of 12alpha-alkyl-21-hydroxyprogesterone derivatives



United States Patent Ofifice 3,164,532 Patented Jan. 5, 1965 This invention relates to a new process for the production of steroids and to new intermediates produced in the process.

Steroids of the formula (1) onion R ---on W9 /1\ '2 wherein R and R represent an llfi-hydroxy or ll-keto structure and the 1,2-position is saturated or double bonded, as well as the 16 and/ or 21 esters thereof, are physiologically active substances which possess glucocorticoid, antiinfiammatory and progestational activity n and which are also useful in the production of the 16,17- acetal and ketal derivatives disclosed in US. Patent No. 3,048,581. This invention relates to a new process for producing such compounds.

According to the process of this invention, the starting materials are l2a-lower alkyl-llfi-hydroxyprogesterone, IZa-lower alkyl-llfi-ketoprogesterone or the corresponding l-dehydroprogesterones. These starting materials are subjected to the enzymes of Stremptomyces roseochromogenus in an aqueous medium containing a sourceof nitrogenous factors and an assimilable source of carbon and energy, in the presence of oxygen, and the 16a-hydroxy steroid of the formula (H) CH3 lower alkyl thus formed is recovered.

The compound of Formula II is then subjected to the action of an aluminum alkoxide to form a new intermediate of the formula lower alkyl 3:0 R I T i The preferred conditions include an aluminum lower alkoxide, especially aluminum t-butoxide, an elevated temperature somewhat in excess of room temperature up to about reflux temperature, an organic solvent, especially an aromatic hydrocarbon of the benzene series such as toluene or xylene, and an inert atmosphere especially nitrogen.

Next, the compound of Formula III is subjected to 5 the action of the enzymes of microorganism Wojnowicia starting material.

graminis, Ophiobolus herpotrichus or Aspergillus niger in an aqueous medium containing a source of carbon and energy, in the presence of oxygen, and is thereby converted to a new compound of the formula (3 H 0 H lower alkyl C=O R i l (V) (llH O-lower alkyl lower alkyl C=0 R ---0rr t OH RI The 2l-ester group may be hydrolyzed to the 21-hydroxy group with a salt of astrong base and weak acid such as potassium carbonate thereby obtaining a compound of Formula I.

In each of Formulas II to V, R and R have the same meaning as in Formula I and the 1,2-position may be saturated or double bonded. IZa-methyl compounds are preferred throughout.

The following examples are illustrative of the invention with all temperatures being expressed on the centigrade scale. A method for the preparation of the starting materials is included in the examples. In each instance, a 12vc-lower alkyl compound other than the IZa-methyl compound illustrated may be utilized if a lithium alkyl other than lithium methyl, e.g., lithium ethyl, is used in the preparation of the 12a-alkylprogesterone used as EXAMPLE I (a) Preparation of 9a-fl0r0-11-ket0pr0gresterone 3,20- bis-ethylene ketal.-A mixture of 10 g. of 9m-fiuoro-1lketoprogresterone, 350 ml. of benzene, ml. of ethylene glycol and 200 mg. of paratoluene-sulfonic acid monohydrate is refluxed with stirring for 72 hours. The reaction mixture is then cooled to room temperature and neutralized with sodium bicarbonate solution. This phases are separated and the aqueous layer reextracted with addi-' tional amounts of benzene. The combined benzene extracts are washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The crude residue on crystallization from acetone-hexane yields about 11 g. of the essentially pure bis-ethylene ketal melting at about 179482. Recrystallization of this material from methationof ice. chloroform (300 m1.) is added, and the-mix-' ture is washed several times with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. Trituration of the residue with hexane gives about 4.2 g. of 12a-methyl-11- ketoprogesterone 3,20- bis-ethyle'ne ketal, M.P. about 135- 138". A second crop of crystals (about 2.4 g., M.P. about 124130) is obtained on concentrating the hexane mother liquor. Crystallization from methanol gives an analytical sample melting at about 139-142", [och 8.8 (c. 0.716 in CHC1 Analysis.-Calcd. for C H O (430.56): C, 72.50; H, 8.90. Found: C, 72.71; H, 8.90.

Preparation of lZa-methyl-lIB-hydroxyprogesterone 3,20-bis-ethylene ketaL-A solution of 1 g. of 120:- methyl-ll-ketoprogesterone 3,20-bis-ethylene ketal in 50 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran is heated under reflux with 1 g. of lithium aluminum hydride for 18 hours. Ice is added to the cooled solution to decompose excess reagent and then a saturated aqueous solution of sodium sulfate is added with stirring until the precipitated aluminum salts are formed in a slurry. The clear ether solution is decanted oif and the organic material is washed twice with chloroform- The combined organic extracts are dried over sodium sulfate and then evaporated in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in 10ml. of benzene and absorbed on a column of 30 g. of alumina. Elution with benzene (900 ml.) and chloroform-benzene (1:9, 500 ml.), followed by crystallization from acetone hexane, yields 12amethyl 11,8-hydroxyprogesterone 3,20-bis-ethylene ketal (about 660 mg.) melting at about 169-175". Crystallization from acetone-hexane affords an analytical sample which melts at about 177179; [aJ --11.5 (c. 1.24 in CHC1 EE? 2.8M

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H O (432.58): C, 72.19; H, 9.32. Found: C, 72.30; H, 9.20.

(d) Preparation .0 12oz -'methyl llfi-hydroxyprogester- 0ne.--A solution of 1.4 g. of 12a-rnethy1-1lfi-hydroxyprogesterone 3,20-bis-ethylene ketal in 30 ml. of methanol and 3 ml. of 8% sulfuric acid is heated under reflux for one hour. The mixture is diluted with water, the pre cipi-.

tated solid collected and crystallized from chloroformmethanol to give about 1.1 g. of IZa-Il'lfithYl-llfi-hydrOXY progesterone, M.P. about 2 35-2385 Crystallization from chloroform-methanol gives an analytical sample melting at about 238-240, [aJ +199 (c. 1.08 in CHC13) kfiigi ffi m (16,600); A312,? 2.9, 5.91 (inflection); 5.95

Analysis.-Calcd. for C I-1 0 (344.48): C, 76.70; H, 9.32. Found: C, 76.59; H, 9.41.

(2) Preparation of 12a-methyl-11-fi,'16a-dihydr0xypr01 gester0nc.A Streptomyces roseochrom'ogenus (Waksman No. 3689, The Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey), culture is maintained on Gould agar (agar, 20 g.; glucose, g; yeast extract, 2.5 g.; K HPO 1 g.; distilled water to 1 liter). Inoculum for the first flask stage is prepared by suspending the surface growth from each of 2 two week old agar slant culture with 5 ml. of an 0.01% Duponol (Merck Index, 7th ed., 1960) solution. One milliliter portions A using 12 N H SO of inoculum are used to inoculate ten 250 ml. Erlenmeyer flasks, each containing 50 m1. of the following medium G. Soybean meal 2O Glucose 30 Soybean oil 2.2 Calcium carbonate 2.5

Distilled Water to 1 liter.

The flasks are then incubated at 25 C. on a rotary shaker (280cycles/n1inute, 2 inch radius) for 72 hours. After 72 hours, a 10% transfer (by volume) is made to each of 45 250 ml. Erlenmeyer flasks, each containing 50 ml. of the same medium A. Atthe time of inoculation of these flasks, 25 mg. of steroid is added to each flask using 0.25

ml. per flask of a mg./ ml. solution of 12 -methyl-11B- hydroxyprogesterone in N,N-dimethylformamide. A total of 1.125 g. of steroid is thereby fermented. 'After inoculation and supplementation the flasks are then incubated under the same conditions as described above. At approximately hours after stereoid addition, the culture broths are harvested. The contents from each flask are pooled and the pooled broth is then adjusted to pH 4.5 The acidified broth is then filtered through a Buchner-Seitz clarifying pad apparatus. The filtrate (3000 ml.) is collected and extracted three times with one liter portions of chloroform. The combined chloroform extracts are Washed'twice with 1.5 l. of water and then evaporated to dryness in vacuo Crystallization of the residue from acetone-hexane gives about 825 mg. of 12a-methyl-11p,16a dihydroxyprogesterone having a melting point about 208209, [M3 +164 (chloroform);

Analysia-Calcdfor C I-1 0 (360.48): C, 73.30; H, 8.95. Found: C,.73.32; H,8.91.

(1) Preparation of J2a-methyl-A pregnadiene-l IB-ol- 3,Z0-di0 ne.A suspension of 640mg. of 12a-methyl-1-1fl, 16a-dihydroxyprogesterone and 1.5 g. of aluminum tertbutoxide in 180 ml. of dry toluene is refluxed under nitrogen for two hours; The mixture is then cooled and Washed successively with 2 N hydrochloric acid, water, 5% sodium bicarbonate and water and then evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residue is crystallized from acetone-hexane to yield 475 mg; of 12a-methylA -pregnadiene-11B-ol-3,20-dione having a melting point about 224- 226, +258 (chloroform),

x333, 244m (6 =26,000) Analysis.Calcd. for C H O (342.46): C, 77.15; H, 8.83. Found: C, 77.11; H, 8.73.

(g) Preparation of JZa-methyZ-J6-dehydr0c0rticosterone 21 -acetate.A Wojnowicia graminis culture (Centraal Bureau voor Schimmel Cultures, Baarn, Netherlands) is maintained on Gould agar (agar, 20 g.; glucose, 10 g.; yeast extract, 2.5 g.; K HPO 1 g.; distilled water to 1 liter). Inoculum for the first flask stage is prepared by suspending the surface growth from each of two 2-weekold agar slant'cultures' with 5 ml. of an 0.01% Duponol (Mercklndex, 7th ed., 1960) solution. One milliliter portions of inoculum are used to inoculate ten 250 ml. Erlenmeyer flasks, each containing 50 ml. of'medium (A) Soybean meal, 20 g.; glucose, 30 g.; soybean oil, 2.2 g.; calcium carbonate, 2.5 g.; distilled water to 1 liter. The flasks are then incubated at 25 C. on a rotary shaker (280 cycles per minute, 2 inch radius) for 96 hours. After 96 hours, a 10% transfer (by volume) is made to each of 50 250 ml. Erlenmeyer flasks, each containing 50 ml. of the following sterilized nutrient medium (B): dextrose, 10 g.; cornsteep liquor, 6 g.; NH H PO 3 g.; Difco yeast'extract, 2.5 g.; CaCO 2.5 g.; and distilled Water to 1 liter. At the time of inoculation of these flasks, 5 mg. of steroid is added to each flask using 0.25 ml. per flask of a 20 nag/ml. solution of l2amethyl- A -pregnadiene-115-01-330 dione in N,N dimethyl formamide. A total of 250 mgs. of steroid is thereby fermented. After inoculation and supplementation of the flasks with steroid, the flasks are then incubated under the same conditions as described above.

After 96 hours of further incubation, the contents of the flasks are pooled and filtered through a Seitz clarifying pad. The flasks, mycelium and pad are washed with successive 50 ml. portions of warm water. The combined filtrate and washings have a volume of 2800 ml. This is extracted with three 3.3 1. portions of chloroform which are combined, washed twice with 5.0 1. portions of water and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in a mixture of 12 ml. of dry pyridine and 4 ml. of acetic anhydride and left at room temperature for four hours. Upon addition of ice Water, crystals of 12a-methyl-l6-dehydrocorticosterone 2l-acetate separate which are filtered, washed with water and dried. This compound has a melting point about 190-192 C., +197 (chloroform) A3,}; 242 rn (e=22,000)

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O (400.50); C, 71.97; H, 8.05. Found: C, 71.77; H, 8.14.

By substituting either a culture of Ophiobolus herpotrichus (Centraal Bureau voor Schimmel Cultures, Baarn, Netherlands) or a culture of Aspergillus niger (ATCC 9142) for the culture of Wojnowicia' graminis in the above procedure and otherwise following the same technique, 12u-methyl-16-dehydrocorticosterone is similarly obtained,

(h) Preparation of IZa-methyl-I6a-hydroxyhydroc0r-.

tisone 21-acetate.-To a stirred solution of 25.4 mg of 12a-methyl-l6-dehydrocorticosterone 21-acetate in 4 ml. of benzene containing 0.2 ml. of pyridine a solution of 16.7 mg. (0.066 mmol.) of osmium tetroxide in 0.82 ml. of benzene is added dropwise over a ten minute period. The solution is stirred at room temperature and after 45 minutes a precipitate separates. The stirring is continued for 2 /2 hours and then 4 ml. of an aqueous solution containing .36 g. each of sodium sulfite and potassium bicarbonate which is free of oxygen is added followed by 2 ml. of methanol. The mixture is then stirred under nitrogen for 3 hours, filtered and washed thoroughly with chloroform and warm tetrahydrofuran. The filtrate is washed with water and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. Crystallization of the residue from acetone-hexane gives 10 mg. of IZa-methyl-16a-hydroxyhydrocortisone 2=1-acetate having a melting point about 194196 C.

(i) Preparation of 12 methyl-16 hydroxyhydrocortison'e.To a stirred solution of 50 mg. of 12a-methyl- 16a-hydroxyhydrocortisone 21-acetate in 10 ml. of metha nol (oxygen free) is added 1 ml. of 10% K CO (oxygen free) and the mixture stirred at room temperature under nitrogen for two hours. This solution is then neutralized with 11111. of 10% acetic acid and diluted with water whereupon crystals separate. They are filtered, washed with water and dried to give 35 mg. of '12a-methyl-16ahydroxyhydrocortisone.

EXAMPLE 2 (a) Preparation of 12 methyl-11-ket0progesterone.-- A solution of 300 mg. of 12m-methyl-ll-ketoprogesterone 3,20-bis-ethylene ketalin 10 m1. methanol and 1 ml. of 8% sulfuric acid is heated under reflux for 4 hours. mixture is then diluted with water, the precipitated solid (about 210 mg, M.P. about 154-456") collected and crystallized from acetone-hexane. The resulting sample of 12a-methyl-1l-ketoprogesterone melts at about 155- 157 [ab +227 (c. 1.36 in CHCl x212} 236 m (15,000); x2353 5.88, 5.96, 6.18;

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O (342.46): C, 77.15; H, 8.83. Found: C, 76.60; H, 8.76.

Similarly, by substituting 12a-ethyl-1l-ketoprogesterone- 3,20-bis-ethylene ketal for the 12u-methyl steroid in the above procedure, IZa-ethyl-l l-ketoprogesterone is ob- The 6 tained. Furthermore, any other bis ketal derivatives can 'be similarly hydrolyzed to yield the same free 3,11,20- triketone derivatives.

(b) By substituting 12a-methyl-1l-ketoprogesterone for 12a-methyl-11 3 hydroxyprogesterone in Example 1(e) and following the same procedure described in parts (e) through (i) of that example, there are obtained successively 12a-methyl-l6a-hydroxy-l l ketoprogesterone, 12a-rrrethyl-M -pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione, 12a methyl- A -pregnadiene-2l-ol-3,11,20-trione, 12a-methyl A pregnadiene-21-ol-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate, lba-methyll6a-hydroxycortisone 21-acetate and l2a-methyl-l6a-hydroxycortisone.

EXAMPLE 3 (a) Preparation of 12ot-methyl-A -pregnadiene-3,1],- 20-trz'one.-To a solution of mg. of 12a-methyl-l1- ketoprogesterone in 10 ml, of dioxane is added 60 g. of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone and the mixture refluxed under nitrogen for 6 hours. After cooling, the precipitated 2,3 dichloro-S,6-dicyanohydroquinone is filtered and washed with dioxane. The filtrate is diluted with an equal volume of chloroform and poured onto a column of 10 g. of Woelm neutral alumina. Elution with chloroform followed by evaporation of the solvent and crystallization of the residue gives 12a-methyl-A pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione.

([2) Preparation of 12a-methyl-16oz-hydroxypredni sone.-By substituting the product of part (a) above in Example 1(e) and following the same procedure described in parts (2) through (i) of that example there are obtained successively 12a-methyl-n -pregnadiene- 16cc ol 3,1l,20-trione, 12a methyl-A -pregnatriene- 11,20-trione, IZa-methyl A pregnatriene-21-ol-3,11, 20-trione, 12a methyl A -pregnatriene21-ol-3,11,20- trione ZI-acetate, 12a-methyl-16a-hydroxyprednisone 21- acetate and 12a-methyl-la-hydroxyprednisone.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of 12a-methyl-A -pregnadiene-11 8-0l-3, 20-dione.By following the procedure of Example 3 in its entirety, but substituting IZa-methyl-l1,3-hydroxypro gesterone as the starting material the l-dehydro analogs of. each of the compounds in that example are obtained successively with IZa-methyl-l6a-hydroxyprednisolone as the final product.

.What is claimed is:

1. A process for the production of a member of th group consisting of a compound of the formula lower alkyl (3:0

wherein R is hydrogen when R is ,B-hydroxy and R and R together are keto, and the l-dehydro derivatives thereof which comprises hydroxylating in the tpOSltlOI1 a compound of the formula H3 lower alkyl by subjection to th'e enzymes of the organism Strep'tb myces roseochromogenus to produce a compound of the formula $Hi lower alkyl C=O lower'alkyl (i= wherein the symbols are the same as above, and hydroxylating-the last named compound in the 21- position by subjection to the enzymes of -a mircoorganism of the group consisting of Wojizowicia gramz'nis, Ophiobolus herpotriclms and Aspergillus niger.

2. A process for the production of 12a-methyl-16- dehydrocorticosterone which comprises hydroxylating 12a-methyl-1lfi hydroxyprogesterone in the l6bc-pOSitiO1'1 by subjecting it to the action of the enzymes of Streptomyces roseochromogenus to form 12ce-rnethyl-11fi,16cc dihydroxyprogesterone, reacting the last named compound'with aluminum t-butonide at'elevated temperature in an organic solvent and inert atmosphere to form 120:- methyI-N -pregnadiene-I1,8-ol-3,20-dione, and hydroxylating the last named compound in the 21-position by subjecting it to the enzymes of Wojnowicia graminis.

3. A process for the production of 12a-methy1-16- dehydrocorticosterone which comprises hydroxylating 12a-methy1-1lfi-hydroxyprogesterone in the Mot-position by fermenting it in the presence of enzymes of Streptomyces roseochromogenus in an aqueous medium containing a source of nitrogenous factors and an assimilable source of carbon and energy in the presence of oxygen to produce 12amethyl-11,8,16a-dihydroxyprogesterone, refluxing the last named compound with aluminum tbutoxide in toluene at elevated temperature in an inert atmosphere to produce 12a-methy1-A -pregnadiene-11B- ol-3,20-dione, and hydroxylating the last named compound in the 21-position by fermenting in the present of enzymes of Wojnowz'cia graminis in an aqueous medium containing a source of nitrogenous factors and an assimila'ble source of carbon and energy in the presenceof oxygen.

4. A process as in claim 1' which comprises acylating the product of that claim with a member of the group agree-e952 consistingof lower alkanoic acid and anhydride to produce a compound of the formula wherein-the symbolsare the same as in claim 1,

and reacting, the last named' pnorduct' witl'i osmium tetroxide to producea compound of the formula C H; 0 -lower alkanoyl lower alk yl (I): O

wherein the symbols are the same as in claim 1'.

5. A process as in claim 2 wherein the 12u-methyl-16- dehydrocorticosterone is acyl'ated with acetic anhydride to produce IZa-me-thyl-l-6-dehydiocorticosterone Zl-acetate and the last named compound is reactedwith'osmium tetroxide to produce 12a-methyl-IGa-hydrdxydrocortisone 21-acetate. I

6. A process as in claim 3 wherein the'12a-methy1-16- dehydrocorticosterone is acylated with acetic 'anhydride in pyridine to produce Hot-methyl-16 dehydrocorticosterone 21-acetate, and reacting the last named compound With-osmium? tetroxide in the presence of pyridine at about room temperature to produce l2 z-methyl l6w hydroxyhydr'ocortisone ZI-acetate.

7. A- process as in claim 4 wherein the last named product is hydrolyzed to produce a compound of the formula C Hz 0 H lower alkyl (1:0

wherein the symbols are the same me'aningas in'claim 4.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS STATES PATENI oFFicE CERTIIFICQX'JIE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,164,532 January 5, 1965 Patrick A. Diassi et a1. I 0

It is hereby certified thaterror appears in the above, numh'eife d pat 7 ant requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read. as corrected below.-

Column 2, line 59, for "9q-flori0 read 9d-f1uoro column 2, line 64, for "This read .The column 3, line 66, for "ll-[3" read 11B column 4, line- 21, for "stereoid" read steroid column 5, line 60, for "12-" read 12aline 70, for "(15,000) read (15,800). column 6, line 34, for "11,20-trione" read 3, 11,20-tri'one column 7, line 57, for "12qmethy1" read l2q-methyl line 62, for "present" read presence column 8, lines 44 to 54, the lower left-hand portion of the formula should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent:

Signed and sealed this 4th day of May 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents ERNEST We Attesting Officer 

1. A PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A MEMBER OF THE GROUP CONSISTING OF A COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA 